This was a fun read for me as a fan of Agatha Christie. I had little to no knowledge of the Detection Club, though I don’t doubt for a second that having more women gain entry into a sought-after closed group would have been harrowing.

The story was intriguing and the workings of the different authors involved in the solve kept the story moving along at an interesting pace. My biggest complaint, however, is the initial premise that these women would seek to find their place in the club by solving a real-life mystery. It seems almost too simple-minded a plan to be thought up by some of the biggest names in detective fiction at the time and reduces the characters from intelligent women to girls playacting at being detectives.

With that said, the mystery was interesting and I appreciate the humanity that the women discovered in themselves as they began to understand the victim’s background (especially in a time when “surplus women” were looked down upon), rather than just seeing her as a character in their own plot. This was my first Marie Benedict novel and it kept me interested enough to consider reading some of her other books (the Mystery of Mrs. Christie, perhaps?).

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the premise of this book sounded really interesting. I liked the idea of famous mystery writers solving an old mystery. I did think the story moved a little slow at times. This is the perfect book for all mystery fans

In Marie Benedict’s “The Queens of Crime,” five notable mystery writers use their skills to solve an actual murder. It was a perfect blend of historical fiction and a locked-room mystery. As any good historical fiction does I learned as much about the time period as the characters. Having only ever heard of Agatha Christie, the other queens of crime were a welcome discovery and I’m eager to read more from them as well and Benedict.

When I saw the premise, I couldn't resist this book. I grew up reading both the "Queens of Crime" who are the protagonists in this historical fiction mystery, and the Detection Club books that came out of that society. Benedict has done a marvelous job bringing these women and their friendship to life on these pages, highlighting each of their strengths and personalities. As women "ahead of their time" in many aspects, this read true to form. I will be curious to read the author's notes that were not part of my ARC - I'm very invested in knowing what was true and what was artistic license. Highly recommend this one - for those who haven't read the golden age mysteries, as an introduction to these Queens of the genre - and for those who know them well and already have an appreciation for them. It will not disappoint!

Ever wondered what would happen if your favorite mystery authors teamed up to solve a real crime? Well, Marie Benedict's "Queens of Crime" brings that dream to life!

It's 1931, and the crème de la crème of female mystery writers - we're talking Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and their equally brilliant peers - are thrust into a real-life whodunit. Talk about meta, right?

Benedict's portrayal of these literary legends is spot-on. I particularly loved her take on Christie - all that quiet observation and sharp wit. And the way she captures 1931 London? You can practically smell the fog and hear the clack of typewriters.

But it's not all fun and games. The book doesn't shy away from the challenges these women faced in a male-dominated field. It's like a masterclass in early feminism, wrapped in a twisty mystery.

Speaking of mystery, the plot holds its own against the works of our protagonists. It's clever, layered, and keeps you guessing - just like a good Christie or Sayers novel.

There's this moment when all five women are brainstorming theories, and it's pure magic. You can feel the collective brilliance crackling in the air.

If you're a fan of historical fiction, classic mysteries, or just love seeing brilliant women kicking butt and taking names, "Queens of Crime" is your next must-read. It's the literary equivalent of your favorite detectives teaming up for the ultimate crossover episode!


Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my free book.

Marie Benedict's historical fiction novels are always so well written. This one is fun!!

We go to London in 1930. Dorothy Sayers leads a group of women writers, including Agatha Christie, to solve an actual murder and infiltrate the boys club of crime writers. These five women are off to solve the mystery of May Daniels. May is a young nurse who disappeared on an excursion with her friend.

This book was inspired by a true story in Dorothy Sayers' life. This book has mystery, thrills, and some humor thrown in. I just love the thought of these women "sneaking" into the Detection Club with their male writer counterparts. In the 1930s, that is almost unheard of.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this book for my honest review.

Queens of Crimes is Marie Benedict’s newest work about five women crime writers - Dorothy Sayer, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Emma Orczy. In order to gain acceptance into a male dominated writers club, they set out to prove themselves by solving a real murder. That of a young woman, May Daniels.

I enjoyed the mystery and found myself wanting to hurry to the end to get to the resolution and see justice be served. This felt like a classic whodunit, which definitely fit the theme.
I was, however, hoping for more exploration of the five women themselves. Aside from the main character - Dorothy Sayer - and perhaps Agatha Christie, the rest felt like they were put into a category without me drawing the conclusion. (The young naive one, the rich one, etc) but those were not conclusions I was able to reach myself, I was constantly told which character was which based on the category they fit in.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who’s interested in mysteries and historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say, “The Queens of Crime” by a favorite historical fiction writer, Marie Benedict, was a delightful journey into the world of crime writing in the 1930s, and specifically of women as in Agatha Christie. It is in this book that we come to know Dorothy Sayers, purported to be Agatha Christie’s legendary rival. But it is in this fast-paced mystery novel that we are enthralled in the power of friendship among women as five of the greatest crime writers have banded together to form a secret society to prove their worth to their legendary counterparts in the formidable Detection Club. They call themselves ‘The Queens of Crime.’. Led by Dorothy Sayers, this illustrious group included Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. They take it upon themselves to solve the crime of an actual murder of a young English nurse found strangled in a park in France. The mystery surrounding her death ultimately leads to very interesting circumstances and places and mystery and suspense, this was a page-turner. But at the heart of this was the involvement of these women in what may have first only been a lark and a challenge but soon captured their hearts in their quest for the truth.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced reader’s copy of this book to be published in February 2025.

Marie Benedict’s The Queens of Crime brings together five iconic mystery writers—Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy—in a compelling fictional tale where they team up to solve a real-life cold case: the murder of a young woman in 1930s London.

What makes this novel stand out is Benedict’s seamless blending of fact and fiction. By structuring the story around an actual unsolved crime, she creates a gripping and plausible narrative that highlights the brilliance of these writers. Their sharp understanding of human nature, combined with their expertise in analyzing motive, means, and opportunity, lends authenticity to their sleuthing efforts as they uncover the truth behind May Daniels’ death.

The interactions among the women—ranging from witty banter and spirited disagreements to genuine camaraderie—feel delightfully real, giving readers a glimpse into the personalities behind their literary legacies. Fans of classic mysteries will also appreciate the many references to their works and writing styles, from Christie’s beloved Poirot and his “little grey cells” to Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel. These nods not only enrich the story but inspire readers to revisit—or discover—the Queens’ individual books.

Having not yet read works by Sayers, Marsh, or Allingham, I’m now eager to explore their novels after finishing this book. The Queens of Crime is both a tribute to these legendary authors and a captivating mystery in its own right—a must-read for fans of classic whodunits.

It’s the Thirties and five famous mystery writers try to solve a real murder. This is a fun story about five smart women who work together to find out what really happened to May Daniels on that day she disappeared from the train station. Events take several twists and turns, some of them dangerous, as these women puzzle out the pieces of this murder. This is an excellent, escapist read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

A CAREFUL AND CLEVER ASCENT

The Queens of Crimes is a historical fiction novel highlighting the friendship among five of the finest women writers from the golden era of mystery. Dorothy Sayers inspires the group with support from Agatha Christie. Also part of this talented club are Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, and Baroness Emma Orczy. These women unite to demonstrate to the male naysayers the capabilities of female authors in the genre. To showcase their ability to understand the minds of criminals, the women endeavor to solve the mysterious death of May Daniels, a young English nurse who disappeared during a day trip to Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in 1931. Her strangled and bloody body was recently discovered in a park.

Queens of Crimes is essential reading for lovers of female-centric historical fiction. This is an inspiring tribute to a generation of women who fought the good fight for women authors and their careers. Most importantly, the story highlights the fortitude and persistence of women.

Author Marie Benedict’s writing is a careful and clever ascent that will have you cheering on these five delightful and diverse characters. Benedict draws us into the life of the victim, May Daniels through the women’s creative sleuthing.

My favorite part is when the women confront one of their primary murder suspects in a beautiful and well-known London hotel.

The story is suspenseful and told from the perspective of Dorothy Sayers, who intriguingly becomes a target during the investigation. The book is easy to read and composed of short, well-labeled chapters. I both read and listened to the book. Bassie Carter's audio performance was rich and delightful, bringing the story to life.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published February 11, 2025
Narrated Bessie Carter
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. The group includes Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment.

A sure fire story to hook me in. Growing up, I discovered mystery novels when I discovered Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. They are the reason I can be so rough in my assesment of modern mystery writers. They never cheated to solve a crime or gave some imaginary reason a character mentioned on page 3 is the culprit. The solution is always valid and justified.
Marie Benedict has brought all of these unparalleled authors together in a story that could so easily be true.
Benedict's level of research and authenticity is not just awe inspiring but oh so entertaining.
The Queens of Crime is a fantastic example of these women's skill as well as the authors. I highly recommend it.
I also recommend listening to the Audio version of this book with narrator Bessie Carter. The audio books makes it so easy to drift to 1931 and watch these queens in action yourself.

It is expected to be published 2/11/2025
Thanks to @netgalley and Macmillian Audio and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion

I knew that this was biographical fiction, not a true crime story, but Marie Benedict is so good that I still found myself googling if Dorothy Sayers ever solved a real crime. Another success from the Queen of Biographical Fiction.

The is a fun read where five crime writers get together to solve a crime. One of my favorite parts was that Agatha Christie is one of the five, It was rather cool to see her in real life trying to do what we have seen her do so many times.

The story is about May Daniel’s, who turns up missing and then dead. The five writers will band together to go through the evidence, with the goal of solving the murder.

I read that the story was inspired by an event in Dorothy Sayers’s own life.

I did both the audio and the ebook simultaneously, I do believe I liked the audio book better, the pace was nice and steady.

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

St. Martin's Press
Pub Date: 2-11-25

Thank you @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and @authormariebenedict for this eARC.

The mystery of who murdered May Daniels kept me hooked from start to finish.  I loved the interaction between the five main characters.  Descriptive writing, consistent pacing, and a few surprises made for one of my favorite mysteries set in the 1930s.

I'm embarrassed to say that before reading The Queens of Crime I had only heard of Agatha Christie.  I now have four additional authors to explore: Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Emma Orczy.

"Dabbing away my tears, I have an epiphany about how the Queens and I must proceed. We must get to know May in order to understand what happened to her. We must treat her as if she were a character in one of our novels but never forget that she was very real. And that doesn’t mean looking for answers at the end, as everyone else seems to be doing. That means starting at the beginning."

I loved this newest novel from Benedict! A charming, fun novel about women detective authors solving a true crime, it kept me engaged and smiling throughout its entirety. Well done!

THE QUEENS OF CRIME was an interesting piece of historical fiction. It is 1930 and Dorothy Sayers comes up with the idea of forming the Detection Club. Its purpose is to provide a venue where the authors of detective fiction can come together.

Dorothy comes to feel that the club is being hijacked by male authors. So, she recruits some of the leading female lights of the day. First on her list is Agatha Christie who is past the time of her unexplained disappearance and is remarried to Max Mallowan. She also invites Baroness Emma Orczy, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh. She surprises the membership when she invites the other ladies to join.

Then come the suspicious death of May Daniels, a trainee nurse in England, who disappears in Boulogne and whose body is discovered some months later. Dorothy's husband is a newspaper writer assigned to the May Daniels case.

Dorothy and the other self-styled Queens of Crime go along to see if they can solve the locked room mystery. After all, May disappeared from a train station restroom and didn't reappear until her body was discovered. The women decide if they ever want to be respected by their male colleagues, they will have to discover what happened to May whose reputation has been thoroughly trashed by the horde of newspaper men covering the story.

Their investigations help these five very different women get to know each other and also solve the murder of May Daniels.

I love the premise of The Queens of Crime but I didn't love the book. It was just okay to me, the characters felt flat and descriptions of them felt repetitive. The plot line and ending were unbelievable. What I did enjoy was reading the book prompted me to go to the internet to read about Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers’ real lives. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an early electronic galley to read and review. This book is expected to be released February 11, 2025.

Set in 1930s England and France, this novel is narrated from the perspective of author Dorothy Sayers. After being one of only two women accepted into the male-dominated Detection Club, she invites fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy into the Queens of Crime to solve a real crime and prove that they deserve to be there. Solving the mystery of nurse May Daniels' death takes the creativity of all five women. When police and journalists alike chalk May's death up to drugs, the Queens take it personally and will do anything they can to solve her murder.

The concept of female crime writers solving a real crime was interesting, and the story was well-written. The plot moved along nicely, and the interactions and relationships between the women blossomed over the course of the investigation. However, there was no suspense, which readers tend to expect in this type of novel. I still enjoyed reading the book and following the clues along with the Queens.

All in all, this was a great historical mystery with an interesting cast of characters. If you like a feminist crime story where the women show the men how it's done, then this one is for you!

Thank you to @StMartinsPress and @NetGalley for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.

For those who do not frequently read fiction with a historical element (or books that feature real-life characters), this book can take a moment to get into. However, once the Queens of Crime land in France for the first time, to solve a murder that neither the French or English authorities have been able to solve, you will find yourself drawn into the story completely.

When the body of a young nurse is found month's after her disappearance, both the press and the authorites are only too willing to make it a case of a drug deal gone wrong, it's only the Queens, all masters in the fields of writing murder mysteries (including none other than Agatha Christie herself) who determine that the syringe found at the scene is nothing more than a red herring.

This is a must read for all those who enjoy reading murder mysteries.